Fishing in Jervis Bay: What, Where, and When
One of the Best Fishing Spots on the NSW South Coast
Jervis Bay has been pulling in anglers long before it was pulling in Instagram tourists. The bay’s combination of sheltered water, sandy flats, rocky reef, deep channels, and tidal creeks creates habitat diversity that supports a serious range of species — from the humble whiting in the shallows to kingfish and snapper offshore.
Whether you’re a serious angler chasing a PB flathead or a parent putting a handline in the water with a kid, there’s fishing here. The bay is sheltered enough that you can fish from shore on days when the open coast is blown out, and the clear water means you can often spot fish before you cast.
This guide covers the main species, shore spots, boat fishing options, regulations, and gear tips for visitors who want to wet a line.
What You Can Catch
Whiting (Sand Whiting)
The bread-and-butter species. Sand whiting cruise the sandy shallows in schools — not big (a good one is 35–40cm) but they fight well on light gear and taste outstanding. Wade the shallows at Callala Beach or Collingwood Beach — see our beach guide for more on each location — with beach worms or pipis. Dawn and dusk, rising tide.
Best months: October–April, present year-round.
Flathead (Dusky Flathead)
Lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms, ambushing anything that comes close. Common around Callala Bay, Currambene Creek mouth, and the shallows off Vincentia. Soft plastics are deadly — cast, sink, retrieve slowly. Fish over 60cm are caught regularly. Note the slot limit (see regulations).
Best months: Year-round, peak spring and autumn.
Bream
Smart, line-shy, satisfying to catch. Found around rocky areas, wharf pylons, and creek systems. Huskisson wharf is reliable — flick a lure around the pylons at dusk. Currambene Creek holds good numbers around fallen timber and oyster racks.
Best months: Year-round. Winter can be excellent.
Kingfish (Yellowtail Kingfish)
The glamour species. Kingfish patrol the bay’s deeper water and reef structures near Point Perpendicular. Primarily a boat target — live baits, metal jigs, and stick baits. Fish run from rats (50–60cm) to serious specimens over a metre. Heavy spin or overhead gear required.
Best months: November–April.
Snapper
Caught in deeper water, particularly autumn and winter as they move inshore to feed over reef and broken ground. Boat fishing with soft plastics or fresh bait over reef structure in 15–25 metres produces the most consistent results.
Best months: April–August.
Other Species
- Luderick: Winter target from rocks and the wharf. Green weed bait, float rig
- Squid (southern calamari): Jig from wharf, rocky points, or boat over seagrass. One of the better squid spots on the South Coast. Autumn through spring
- Mulloway: Trophy target. Deeper holes of Currambene Creek and bay drop-offs. Live bait at night
Shore Fishing Spots
Huskisson Wharf
The most accessible and popular spot in the bay. Drop a line off the wharf for bream, whiting, squid, flathead, and whatever else wanders by. The water is deep enough at the end of the wharf to hold decent fish, and the pylons create structure that attracts bream and leatherjackets.
It’s also an excellent spot for kids — it’s flat, safe, and there are usually fish around. A handline with a small hook and prawn bait will catch something.
Access: Walk on, any time. Free.
Callala Beach
Long sandy beach on the western shore. Wade fishing for whiting and flathead is excellent, particularly at the southern end. Dawn and dusk on a rising tide. Less foot traffic than Huskisson — good if you want space.
Currambene Creek
Bream, flathead, and mulloway between Woollamia and Huskisson. Currambene Creek is also a top spot for kayaking on Currambene Creek. Fish around oyster racks, fallen trees, and deeper bends on the tide change. Evening and night sessions produce mulloway for patient anglers using live bait. Access from Woollamia boat ramp or walk from Huskisson.
Rock Platforms
The rocky shoreline around the bay’s headlands offers bream, drummer, luderick, and the occasional kingfish. Requires caution — non-slip footwear, never turn your back on the ocean. Some access restricted through the naval base at Point Perpendicular.
Boat Fishing
If you have access to a boat (or want to charter one), the fishing options expand significantly.
Launching
The main public boat ramp is at Woollamia, on Currambene Creek. It’s a well-maintained concrete ramp with parking for trailers. It gets busy on weekends, particularly during holiday periods — arrive early.
There’s a smaller ramp at Callala Bay for lighter boats and kayak/tinny launches.
Charter Fishing
Several operators run out of Huskisson — half-day and full-day trips targeting kingfish, snapper, and flathead. Charters provide all gear, bait, and expertise. Best way for visitors without a boat to access deeper water and offshore reef systems.
Where to Fish by Boat
- Sand flats (Callala Bay, inner bay): Drift for flathead and whiting over sand
- Reef structures (mid-bay): Bottom fish for snapper, morwong, and bream
- Point Perpendicular area: Jig for kingfish, drift for snapper, explore the wall
- Currambene Creek mouth: Flathead, bream, mulloway on the tide changes
- Seagrass beds: Squid jigging, whiting over the edges
Regulations
Fishing in Jervis Bay is managed under NSW Fisheries regulations. The key rules:
NSW Recreational Fishing Licence
You need one. Anyone over 18 fishing in NSW waters needs a current recreational fishing licence. You can buy one online through the NSW DPI website — options include 3-day, 1-month, 1-year, and 3-year licences. The cost is modest and the money goes directly to fisheries management and habitat programs.
Exemptions: children under 18, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and holders of a pensioner concession card (conditions apply).
Bag and Size Limits
NSW has species-specific bag and size limits. Some key ones for Jervis Bay species:
- Sand whiting: Min 27cm, bag limit 20
- Dusky flathead: Min 36cm, max 70cm (slot limit — fish over 70cm must be released), bag limit 5
- Bream (yellowfin): Min 25cm, bag limit 20
- Snapper: Min 30cm, bag limit 10
- Kingfish: Min 65cm, bag limit 5
- Mulloway: Min 70cm, bag limit 2
- Squid: Bag limit 20
These can change — always check the current NSW DPI regulations before fishing. The DPI FishSmart app is useful for checking limits on the water.
Marine Park Zones
This is critical. Jervis Bay Marine Park has designated sanctuary zones where all fishing is prohibited. These zones are clearly marked on maps available from the marine park website and at boat ramps and wharf areas.
Fishing in a sanctuary zone carries significant fines. Know where the zones are before you start. The marine park also has habitat protection zones with some restrictions on certain fishing methods. Download the marine park zoning map or pick one up from the visitor centre.
Best Seasons Summary
| Species | Best Months | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Sand whiting | Oct–Apr | Bait (worms, pipis) in shallows |
| Dusky flathead | Year-round, peak spring/autumn | Soft plastics, live bait |
| Bream | Year-round | Lures, bait around structure |
| Kingfish | Nov–Apr | Live bait, jigs, stickbaits (boat) |
| Snapper | Apr–Aug | Soft plastics, bait over reef (boat) |
| Squid | Mar–Oct | Jigs from shore or boat |
| Mulloway | Year-round, peak autumn | Live bait at night, creek systems |
Gear Tips for Visitors
Shore fishing: A 7-foot light spin rod with 6–8lb braid and 10lb fluorocarbon leader covers most situations. Size 4–1/0 hooks, a few sinkers, and some 3-inch soft plastics in natural colours. Buy bait locally — Huskisson shops sell frozen prawns, worms, and squid.
Wharf fishing and kids: A handline or cheap combo rod, small hooks (size 6–4), a sinker, and a piece of prawn. Drop it off the wharf and wait.
Squid: Light spin rod and squid jigs in size 2.5–3.5 (natural colours). Cast over seagrass and retrieve slowly with gentle flicks.
For the underwater perspective on the bay’s marine life, see our snorkelling and diving guide, and check where to stay if you’re planning an overnight fishing trip. Jervis Bay isn’t just a pretty beach destination — it’s a genuinely productive fishery. Whether you’re after a feed of whiting or chasing a kingfish that’ll test your gear to breaking point, the bay delivers. Get your licence, know your limits, and respect the marine park zones. The fishing here is as good as it is because it’s managed well.